> In the 1970s and 80s, which computer manufacturer had models known as the PET,the VIC-20, and the 64?And the answer: Commodore. First launched in 1977, the Commodore PET-2001 combined its monitor, keyboard,and cassette tape drive in a heavy all-in-one metal case. In 1982, the companylaunched the Commodore 64, which became one of the most famous and successfulpersonal computers of all time.Photo credit: The Science Museum[https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co493761/commodore-pet-2001-8-bs-personal-computer-1977-personal-computers].In 1974, a company called MOS Technology (a business comprised of mainly pastMotorola employees) set out to create a compatible computer chip known as theMOS 6501. This chip, ideally, would be used to supplement the far more expensiveMotorola chip (and would work faster, too). However, to little surprise,Motorola sued, and the MOS 6502 was born. The microprocessor was essentially asimplified, less expensive and faster version of the first. Luckily, the 6502found early success in engineers and hobbyists alike. Its processing power waslater brought into early Apple, Atari, Nintendo, and Commodore products, and thelatter company actually purchased MOS in 1976. At the time of Commodore purchased MOS, their business was primarily incalculators. As such, Jack Traimel, the founder of Commodore, quickly realizedthat they needed to create a compatible, competitive computer if they wanted tostay afloat. Thus, the Commodore PET-2001 was born. 1977 was indeed a big year in the nascent computer revolution. With the marketintroduction of the big three – Apple II, Commodore PET, and TRS-80 computer –it was the first time in history that any individual could purchase areasonably-priced computer without having to assemble it themself. While thesemodels may appear clunky and even a bit confusing to our 2021 eyes, theconvenience we enjoy in our Apple MacBooks and Dell laptops today would cease toexist without this ground-breaking technology. Learn more about the advances and innovation of Commodore below.